The 38-year-old Wawrinka turned back the clock to win his 22nd match at the ATP Masters 1000 competition while playing on Court Rainier III.
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On Monday, Stanislas Wawinka defeated Tallon Griekspoor in three sets, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, to advance to the second round at the Monte-Carlo Masters 2023. The 38-year-old Wawrinka turned back the clock to win his 22nd match at the ATP Masters 1000 competition while playing on Court Rainier III in front of a jam-packed audience. After two hours and twenty-five minutes, the former World No. 3 hit 35 winners and won on his sixth match point to advance.
“It was really important to stay calm with myself,” Wawrinka said. “In the first round you need to find your game. The first match on clay is never easy against a good player. I am happy to get through. It was important to fight until the end.” Wawrinka had just advanced to the fourth round of the Indian Wells tournament, where he defeated Top 10 player Holger Rune, when he arrived in Monte Carlo. Seven of Wawrinka’s 16 tour-level championships, including Roland Garros in 2015, have been won on clay.
The 2023 Monte Carlo Masters will miss three of the biggest names in world tennis today as Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime all pulled out within an hour on Tuesday. Nadal’s decision did not come as a surprise as the veteran had only just returned to training after suffering an injury earlier this year, However, fans were definitely not ready for Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime’s withdrawals only a few minutes afterwards.
The Spanish teenager made his decision public via social media, where he said that he was suffering from post-traumatic arthritis and has muscular discomfort in the spine. “After two months of competing, I’m happy to be back home but sad that I finished my semifinal match in Miami with soreness,” he wrote. “After visiting my doctor @drlopezmartinez in Murcia today and being evaluated, I will not be able to go to Monte Carlo to start the tour on the ground,” the Spaniard wrote.
“I have post-traumatic arthritis in my left hand and muscular discomfort in the spine that needs rest to face everything that is to come. See you in 2024 @ROLEXMCMASTERS!” Alcaraz added.
Felix Auger-Aliassime also had to withdraw due to injury, stating that he had been struggling with his left knee, and hoped that he would be back in time for the Madrid Open. “Unfortunately I have to announce my retirement from the @rolexmontecarlomasters this year,” the Canadian wrote on Twitter. “It is an event that I look forward to each year however, I have been struggling with my left knee for the past few weeks and decided it was the smartest decision to take some time off so I’m able to fully heal and recover before my next tournament at the @mutuamadridopen. Thank you as always for your support and I look forward to seeing you back on court soon.”
